September’s unusually heavy and persistent rainfall hampered the ongoing construction of the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. But the project remains ahead of schedule.
“We experienced a three- to four-day delay due to the rain,” reported ZNS construction engineer manager Karen Wilson at the pier team’s Oct. 1 meeting, adding that an emergency on Longboat Key that pulled the crew from the pier was a distraction.
Nonetheless, Wilson said, “We are moving forward very well in spite of the rain and are still ahead of schedule.”
A status update indicated that nearly all the piles are in place, a task the original timetable showed would continue until the end of October.
Demolition of the wood deck and concrete pilings also was finished quicker than anticipated, and work on the substructure is underway.
Turning to matters involving the concessionaire, Tom Woodard, head of the public works department, said that the restaurant owner had joined the city in ordering signage in anticipation of the reopening of the pier. He noted that the installation of the city sign may need to be “pushed back a little bit so that both signs can be installed at the same time.”
Discussion then centered on several issues with Roland Pena and his operation of the Cast ’n’ Cage and the bait and sundry shop. He has been a no-show at two pier team meetings since he received an abatement for his monthly rent Sept. 4 from the city commission.
Woodard reported that his staff repaired a roof leak in the kitchen and was awaiting feedback from Pena on the fix.
Pena also failed to respond regarding an email notice that he failed to keep up the restaurant’s grease trap, according to Woodard. In addition, he said the restaurant tenant has not acted on concerns expressed by the fire inspector about “Christmas-type” lights that have been stapled to posts on the outside of the restaurant.
Police Chief Sam Speciale, who heads the pier team, noted that some of the issues are in violation of the concessionaire’s lease with the city. He recommended sending Pena a certified letter outlining the complaints.
“We have been trying to be tenant-friendly,” he said. “We have been giving them pretty good latitude, but now they don’t even show up for the meetings.”
The Chief must be Special. He should be doing the job he is paid to do.